(P2P) Peer-to-Peer

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) is a type of computer network architecture in which each node has the same capabilities and responsibilities, allowing users to share and distribute content directly between each other without the need for a central server.

In P2P networks, each node acts as both a client and a server, allowing users to upload and download content from one another. This means that the network can continue to operate even if some nodes are offline, as the remaining nodes can still exchange information.

P2P networks can be used for a variety of purposes, including file sharing, video and audio streaming, and gaming. One of the advantages of P2P networks is that they can handle a large amount of data traffic, as the load is distributed among multiple nodes. This can make P2P networks more efficient and resilient than traditional client-server networks.

However, P2P networks can also raise privacy and security concerns, as they can be used to distribute copyrighted material or malware. Additionally, P2P networks can be vulnerable to network congestion, as the more nodes that are added to the network, the more bandwidth each node will need to communicate with other nodes.

Despite these challenges, P2P technology continues to be a popular method for sharing and distributing content, especially for large-scale applications such as file sharing and online gaming.